Daughter of Gregory Masters and his first wife, who for many years lived, almost as a daughter, with Lady Ushant at Bragton Hall, where she grew up in the companionship of Reginald Morton. When she returned to her father’s home, her stepmother attempted to force her to marry Larry Twentyman, who was deeply in love with her. Mary had fallen in love with Reginald and, although the match seemed above her station, she eventually married him.